Nemov values People Power protest as much as precious stash

Russian gymnast Alexei Nemov tries to calm spectators booing during the men's horizontal bar final at the Athens 2004 Olympic Summer Games gymnastics competition, August 23, 2004. REUTERS/Jeff J Mitchell AW/AA

LONDON/MOSCOW (Reuters) - For a gymnast who won Olympic medals in every men's event barring the rings, it is perhaps a little poignant that Alexei Nemov invokes the spirit of JRR Tolkien whenever he lays eyes on his vast stash of priceless valuables.

"Remember in the film Lord of the Rings when Gollum says: 'My precious'? My medals are my precious," the charismatic Russian told Reuters in a telephone interview in the lead-up to the Rio Olympics.